Michele Lewis: Poker is Good for Women

October 16th, 2009

Michele Lewis is a mother, wife, writer and poker player with four WSOP cashes under her cowgirl belt (see below). I had a short chat with her about poker, women and life.

Why is poker so much fun?
I love the game because it combines math, behavioral psychology and socialization. Plus, I’ve made some great friends playing poker and what’s not to like about playing games with friends?

Who is the best poker pro according to you?
That’s a tough question. There are too many variables for me to pick one pro. My mind immediately starts thinking about cash games, tough fields, soft fields, mixed games, satellites, heads-up, etc. There are some great poker players who don’t play tournaments.

For example, Bill O’Connor, an excellent pot limit player, goes to the WSOP but he pretty much sticks to the cash games. Doyle Brunson and Phil Ivey are versatile, Phil Hellmuth handles large Hold’em fields better than a car, Daniel Negreanu separates himself from the boys with his reads and Annie Duke shows stamina as well as consistency.

Between you and Phil Hellmuth, heads-up, seriously who would win?
If there is anyone in the world who could beat Phil Hellmuth, it would be me. I’m very lucky in poker and since luck has prevented Hellmuth from winning 289 WSOP bracelets (or however many bracelets events he’s played) then clearly that makes him the dog.

Is poker a good endeavor for women to go into? If so, in what ways?
Yes! It’s a great place to find a man, win money for new shoes and I’m totally kidding. There are more benefits to the game than just money. I think poker is great for building confidence, learning to deal with failure and sharpening the mind. Women pay 1000’s to learn yoga, get their hair done, body massaged or on clothes etc so I find it rather hypocritical to say it’s ok to blow through money on pedicures, plants and petit fours but just say no to poker.

Why are there so few women in pro poker?
I’m not sure, to be honest I don’t give it much thought. I’ve always been the type that when I want to do something I figure it out for myself. So, I tend to think if women want to play, they should just show up and play. But when people see women who are unable to go to the ladies room alone then it’s easy to assume it’s fear. Tournaments have become so large they can be intimidating to a newcomer. Especially knowing there’s some history to “your kind” being there. On the contrary, why are there so few men in the school PTA or volunteer organizations? I guess it’s because everyone does what they love, prioritize and what is necessary to get by or enjoy life. So, it may be as simple as…most women lack a strong enough interest to pursue the game.

As a mother, would you encourage your children to play poker?
I would support my children in whatever they chose to do as long as it was legal and not creating unmanageability in their lives. I’ve often expressed my pride in that I built my bankroll from my original $200 rather than borrowing from others or my savings. So, I would promote that conservative approach to them. I would be lying if I omitted that I would first push them to pursue biometrics, engineering or pediatrics before poker. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a weekly game at the Lewis casa.

Do you think a man would get that question?
I’ve witnessed more men than women being asked this very question. But then again, I’ve witnessed more men than women being asked anything about poker.

Do you have any tips to all our aspiring poker sisters out there?

• Dan Harrington’s books are an excellent start for learning the math but read as many books as possible. Don’t focus on one book’s style of play, take in everything and then develop a style that works for you.
• Don’t believe everything you see on television.
• You’re only hurting yourself and slowing down the game if you don’t know the math and the rules. Slowing down the game is discourteous to others and in most sports there are automatic clocks and penalties for mistakes and ignorance. Poker shouldn’t be any different. The more respect you have for the game, the more respect your opponents will have for you. And respect at the poker table is an asset.
• I would also suggest playing a very low limit hold’em game until you can control boredom and/or fear so the emotions aren’t controlling you. You want to respect the game rather than the chips. However, if you’re in a hurry to play… there’s no better way to learn anything than by trial and error.